Tech wins without Leach, but …

No one was wrong to praise Ruffin McNeill after the Alamo Bowl. The defensive coordinator who took over as interim head coach for Mike Leach, McNeill held up well with good humor and better decisions.

He deserved congratulations, and he deserved what Gerald Myers, the Texas Tech athletic director, said.

“Ruff has done a good job,” Myers told the media after the Alamo Bowl. “He mentioned earlier in the week that he would be auditioning for the job tonight, and I think he had a pretty good performance. He did a great job. These players love Ruffin. Our fans love Ruffin. He certainly will get a lot of strong consideration. We’re not opposed to hiring coordinators. We’re going to take a look at it.”

But …

Leach built this program over the past decade. He installed the cutting-edge offense. He put in the game plan for Michigan State, too, until he was suspended five days before the game.

So when Tech rolled up its usual yards? When McNeill’s defense gave up 31 points and had to hold off a 6-7 Michigan State team that had lost 14 players to suspensions and dismissals?